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1950 Chevy 3100. Stock front axle.


My rear axle has a bolt pattern of 5x5. Came off a 84 c10.

I want the same bolt pattern on the front. Disc brakes. The only kits for a 5 bolt pattern are 5x4.75. I've found old posts where people said they had a junkyard made kit that was 5x5 but how??

What can I put together to get front disc and a 5x5 pattern?


Ideas, suggestions?

Can you adapt the 85 C10 hub and brake rotor to the 1950 spindle? Then it would be a matter of fabricating an appropriate caliper mount. We did that pretty regularly on round track race cars. One I remember had an early Cadillac hub, rotor and caliper adapted to a different spindle- - - -don't remember what the spindle came from right now!

Once the hub and rotor is mounted to the spindle, use air pressure to hold the caliper clamped on tight and fabricate a suitable bracket for it. The much-lamented lack of a disc brake setup for 3/4-1 ton axles could be handled the same way.
Jerry

I think I talked to one guy who thinks a PO put on c10 rotors and calipers, but he wasn't sure on the hub and bearings and unfortunately never got back to me. It would be awesome if I could adapt that hub over... have you heard of anyone doing that?

Could my 6 lug stock hubs be redrilled if I separated them from the drums?

Seems like I have seen ware 49-54 car hubs will fit.

I've heard that, but arnt they 5x4.75?

George is right. I slipped the 53/54 hubs on my 50 pickup but that was back in '73. Not many of those cars sitting in the pastures these days.......maybe watch ebay for some NOS or NORS.

....I'll be careful here...yes, drums and axles are re-drilled all the time.
However, I'd go with as late model stuff as you can as parts may be hard to find in the future.

Maybe I can go about this in a different way. If I buy a 5x4.75 or even the 6 lug disc front kit, what can I do to the rear instead?

Where I live the oilfield is picking up and it's over crowded the tailgating is awful. Even had someone rear end us recently. So a disc/drum set up is best right?

The kit I found

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Deluxe-Disc-Brake-Kit-1947-1959-Chevy-Half-Ton-Pickup,4622.html

I went through the Q and A section and came across this

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/1973-77-GM-Midsize-11-Inch-Brake-Rotor-5-on-5-Inch,1969.html

Nvm guys, talked to 4 different ppl. Their techs say that rotor will not work.

....I have seen a local Kustom shop redrill the REAR axles and say they have had no problems.......however, they also have the capability to cut you a new axle. Carltons Kustoms in Greenville S.C. I can get the number if interested. I use to deliver drive shafts there for years and they have a top notch machine shop man......just saying.

"Won't work" usually means "I don't know how to make it work!"
Jerry

I've got the part numbers, I'm going to a local auto store and compare. The kit uses camaro rotors, the 5x5 is a direct replacement. So I'm not sure why this wont work, they said something about the snout being to long on the 5x5. Maybe it's just a lip that can be machined...

What about using a wheel lug adapter plate to convert your 5 x 5 to 5 x 4.75 ? Spaces your wheels out 1.5" or so ? ( Amazon )
No comment on whether it's a good idea or not.

Unless the adapters are solid steel, not aluminum, RUN, do not walk away! That would be like drawing to an inside straight in a high-stakes poker game! If the snout on the hub is a little too long, it would be a simple machining job to set the outer bearing race back a little or do some other type of adapting to make the hub fit the spindle.
Jerry

Anyone got any idea where I could find a bearing with ID .75 inches and OD 1.9687?

Or.... if I got some machine shop buddies to make an adapter to get me to a usable ID, what do I tell them to make it out of? I figure if summit can use adapters in their kits, then maybe I could do the same...

If I could adapt a .8437 to .75 inches... I might be able to adapt the c10 rotor. First seeing if it's even possible to find parts to make it work. I'll need to strip the spindles and see about length fitment.

It's this or adapt what I think might be late 60s camaro rotors another guy used, just not sure if it was 60s camaro rotors....

Plain old cold-rolled steel bar stock will work to make that adapter. Start with a piece of 1" diameter stock so there will be a flange to support the bearing race from the back side. If you want to get fancy, use air-hardening drill rod to make the adapter, heat it cherry red with a torch, and let it air cool. It will end up being as hard as woodpecker lips. I'd choose not to do that, or at least not to harden it if you choose to use a tougher alloy than cold-rolled. You'll need a .750" ID shaft collar inboard of the bearing area to keep the adapter in place.

Drop me a PM if you don't find a machinist locally.
Jerry